Trustees: Monday before the 4th Tuesday , 5 PM
Serve Card
Nominations/Lay Leadership Team is interested in finding out how you would like to serve at First UMC Gadsden! You can read more about the different leadership roles and teams below. Fill out the Serve Card to share how you would like to serve! A member o f the Nominations/Lay Leadership Team will contact you. Thank you!
Leadership Teams & Roles at GFUMC
Gadsden First United Methodist Church is comprised of many teams and leadership roles. Serving in a leadership role is just one way to share your diverse gifts and interact with those who share your interests and values.
Gadsden First United Methodist Church is comprised of many teams and leadership roles. Serving in a leadership role is just one way to share your diverse gifts and interact with those who share your interests and values.
Making Ministry Happen
Board of Stewards | The Board of Stewards is the administrative and voting agency of our congregation. The purpose of the Board of Stewards is to provide planning and implementation of our church’s mission: (1) Sharing Christ (2) Making Disciples (3) Serving and Giving Hope.
While any church member may attend the Board of Stewards’ monthly meetings, only members of the board may vote. Members of the Board of Stewards include the chairperson, recording secretary, church lay leader, church treasurer, chairpersons of: finance committee, staff-parish relations committee, trustees, UMW, and the Early Learning Center Board. The Board of Stewards also includes lay members to Annual Conference and leaders of all ministry teams (missions, worship, children’s ministry, youth ministry, inviting ministries, technical art, journey groups, generosity, and fellowship).
SPRC | Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the administrative unit where staff and congregational interests are integrated to focus on the mission of the church. SPRC confers with the congregation and the staff/pastor about ministry direction, assesses the ministry of the congregation and the staff/pastor, supports continuing education for all staff, identifies and supports individuals from the congregation whom God seems to be calling for ordained ministry, makes recommendations regarding compensation, travel, benefits and housing to the church council, and recommends needed staff positions and develops written job descriptions and titles for associate pastors and staff. This SPRC maintains an ongoing communication with the church staff and meetings are called as needed.
The Chairperson of the SPRC attends meetings of the Board of Stewards.
Trustees | The Trustees Team is responsible for taking care of the personal and real property including the church grounds, buildings, and parsonage. The Committee's goal is to provide a safe and comfortable house of worship and to keep the church property in good repair. The Committee is responsible for routine repair and maintenance as well as any required capital projects (i.e., heating and electrical systems, roof, etc.). They also rely on volunteers to assist in pre-determined tasks. The Chairperson is a member of the Board of Stewards.
Finance | The primary responsibility of the Finance Team is to enable and support the ministries of FUMC. The Team evaluates the financial needs of the congregation with the preparation of the annual budget, reviews and advises Board of Stewards on giving patterns and the financial health of the church, reviews and advises on the use of special gifts and memorials, supervises an audit of all financial records and procedures, and monitors invested funds.
The Finance Chairperson is the member of the Board of Stewards.
Church Lay Leader | The lay leader functions as the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation. The lay leader is a member of the charge conference, the board of stewards, the staff-parish relations committee, the finance committee, and the lay leadership/nominations team.
Lay Members to Annual Conference | These members attend and are church representatives and voting members to the NAC Annual Conference. Gadsden First UMC currently has two Lay Members One alternate Lay Member is named. The Lay Members are members of Board of Stewards.
Lay Leadership (Nominations) | This team’s role is to identify, develop, organize, evaluate, and monitor Christian spiritual leadership of the congregation. Members of the committee work very closely with the Senior Pastor to nominate church leadership. The Lay Leadership/Nominations Chairperson attends the Board of Stewards Meeting.
Vision Team | The Vision team works with the Senior Pastor and assists the church Leadership and Staff in future planning and executing the vision statement of GFUMC. The Chairperson attends the Board of Stewards Meeting.
While any church member may attend the Board of Stewards’ monthly meetings, only members of the board may vote. Members of the Board of Stewards include the chairperson, recording secretary, church lay leader, church treasurer, chairpersons of: finance committee, staff-parish relations committee, trustees, UMW, and the Early Learning Center Board. The Board of Stewards also includes lay members to Annual Conference and leaders of all ministry teams (missions, worship, children’s ministry, youth ministry, inviting ministries, technical art, journey groups, generosity, and fellowship).
SPRC | Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the administrative unit where staff and congregational interests are integrated to focus on the mission of the church. SPRC confers with the congregation and the staff/pastor about ministry direction, assesses the ministry of the congregation and the staff/pastor, supports continuing education for all staff, identifies and supports individuals from the congregation whom God seems to be calling for ordained ministry, makes recommendations regarding compensation, travel, benefits and housing to the church council, and recommends needed staff positions and develops written job descriptions and titles for associate pastors and staff. This SPRC maintains an ongoing communication with the church staff and meetings are called as needed.
The Chairperson of the SPRC attends meetings of the Board of Stewards.
Trustees | The Trustees Team is responsible for taking care of the personal and real property including the church grounds, buildings, and parsonage. The Committee's goal is to provide a safe and comfortable house of worship and to keep the church property in good repair. The Committee is responsible for routine repair and maintenance as well as any required capital projects (i.e., heating and electrical systems, roof, etc.). They also rely on volunteers to assist in pre-determined tasks. The Chairperson is a member of the Board of Stewards.
Finance | The primary responsibility of the Finance Team is to enable and support the ministries of FUMC. The Team evaluates the financial needs of the congregation with the preparation of the annual budget, reviews and advises Board of Stewards on giving patterns and the financial health of the church, reviews and advises on the use of special gifts and memorials, supervises an audit of all financial records and procedures, and monitors invested funds.
The Finance Chairperson is the member of the Board of Stewards.
Church Lay Leader | The lay leader functions as the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation. The lay leader is a member of the charge conference, the board of stewards, the staff-parish relations committee, the finance committee, and the lay leadership/nominations team.
Lay Members to Annual Conference | These members attend and are church representatives and voting members to the NAC Annual Conference. Gadsden First UMC currently has two Lay Members One alternate Lay Member is named. The Lay Members are members of Board of Stewards.
Lay Leadership (Nominations) | This team’s role is to identify, develop, organize, evaluate, and monitor Christian spiritual leadership of the congregation. Members of the committee work very closely with the Senior Pastor to nominate church leadership. The Lay Leadership/Nominations Chairperson attends the Board of Stewards Meeting.
Vision Team | The Vision team works with the Senior Pastor and assists the church Leadership and Staff in future planning and executing the vision statement of GFUMC. The Chairperson attends the Board of Stewards Meeting.
Sharing Christ
Making Disciples
Inviting Ministries Team | Inviting Ministries works to develop ways to welcome and follow-up with guests and to develop and strengthen evangelistic efforts, and encourage sharing of personal and congregational stories of Christian experience, faith, and service and communications, Lay Servant Ministries, and other means that give expressions of witness for Jesus Christ. Inviting Ministries works with the Connectional Ministries Director to guide a meaningful and visitor friendly design for the church website and App and develop new ways to connect new people to our church.
Worship Teams | These teams are comprised of willing volunteers who are committed and dedicated to providing meaningful worship experience by overseeing the various aspects of worship services and their various components throughout the church year.
Celebration Worship Team Leader
Traditions Worship Team Leader
Thursday Worship Team Leader
Prayer Ministries Team | The prayer ministries team seeks to identify prayer concerns and support people through prayer. This team provides support and equips those who are praying for all aspects of congregational life as well as for the overall goals of the church.
Tech Team | This team establishes and maintains the different technological programs in the church's ministry including the live broadcast, sound, multi-media operations, slides creation.
*Each of the team leaders attends the Board of Stewards.
Worship Teams | These teams are comprised of willing volunteers who are committed and dedicated to providing meaningful worship experience by overseeing the various aspects of worship services and their various components throughout the church year.
Celebration Worship Team Leader
Traditions Worship Team Leader
Thursday Worship Team Leader
Prayer Ministries Team | The prayer ministries team seeks to identify prayer concerns and support people through prayer. This team provides support and equips those who are praying for all aspects of congregational life as well as for the overall goals of the church.
Tech Team | This team establishes and maintains the different technological programs in the church's ministry including the live broadcast, sound, multi-media operations, slides creation.
*Each of the team leaders attends the Board of Stewards.
Children and Youth Ministries | These two teams are structured to equip and empower our young people to be active leaders within our ministry and play a critical role in the planning and execution of our ministry and outreach. At GFUMC, the leadership duties are divided into Children Council and Youth Council.
Early Learning Center Board of Directors | The Board of Directors of the Early Learning Center provides oversight and assists with policy decisions, tuition and other aspects of Gadsden First UMC’s ELC Ministry that gives loving Christian care and learning for children, infants through 4 years of age, in a 4 day a week preschool program.
Journey Groups (Small Groups) | This team is responsible for developing and sharing different opportunities for members of all ages and stages to learn about God and grow closer to God including the Bible's teachings and living the life of the gospel in today's world. Biblical learning opportunities range from lecture/discussion classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, to small group online discussions. The team is always looking for members as well as dedicated Sunday School teachers. Anyone interested in becoming active in the education of both youth and adults within our church are welcome to attend and get involved.
Generosity Team Leader | This leader works very closely with the Finance Team. Their primary responsibility is to promote generosity and good stewardship by leading the congregation to higher levels of proportionate giving through the annual Alleluia Offering and annual Generosity Campaign.
Fellowship Team Leaders | This team brings our church family and friends together to build relationships and connections that will strengthen the church. The fellowship team seeks to foster friendships, support and social interactions that help members to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Fellowship events include the annual church picnic, Wednesday night Fellowship Dinners, receptions, and other gatherings and special events.
Early Learning Center Board of Directors | The Board of Directors of the Early Learning Center provides oversight and assists with policy decisions, tuition and other aspects of Gadsden First UMC’s ELC Ministry that gives loving Christian care and learning for children, infants through 4 years of age, in a 4 day a week preschool program.
Journey Groups (Small Groups) | This team is responsible for developing and sharing different opportunities for members of all ages and stages to learn about God and grow closer to God including the Bible's teachings and living the life of the gospel in today's world. Biblical learning opportunities range from lecture/discussion classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, to small group online discussions. The team is always looking for members as well as dedicated Sunday School teachers. Anyone interested in becoming active in the education of both youth and adults within our church are welcome to attend and get involved.
Generosity Team Leader | This leader works very closely with the Finance Team. Their primary responsibility is to promote generosity and good stewardship by leading the congregation to higher levels of proportionate giving through the annual Alleluia Offering and annual Generosity Campaign.
Fellowship Team Leaders | This team brings our church family and friends together to build relationships and connections that will strengthen the church. The fellowship team seeks to foster friendships, support and social interactions that help members to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Fellowship events include the annual church picnic, Wednesday night Fellowship Dinners, receptions, and other gatherings and special events.
Serving People and Giving Hope
Missions Team | The mission team provides leadership, support and connection for the various social and missional outreach programs of the church, including the our adopted school Striplin Elementary School and oversees support for missionaries and Christian organizations sponsored by the Church. The Mission Team Leader attends the Board of Stewards Meetings.
In addition, the following Missions and Ministries of the church have their own teams and team leaders.
Clothes Closet Team | Oversees the operation of the Clothes Closet Ministry including volunteers, organization, and open days.
Ladle of Love Team | Oversees the operation of the church’s soup kitchen including managing supplies and organizing teams to prepare meals.
Bereavement Team | Provides a meal for a family in crisis due death of a family member.
Caring Angels Team | Provides care packages and communications for members at home.
Each of the Team Leaders also attend the Board of Stewards.
United Methodist Women | The UMW provides opportunities and resources for women to grow spiritually, become more deeply rooted in Christ and put faith into action. UMW supports missions and ministries at Gadsden First UMC and around the world.
The president or a representative of the UMW serves on the Board of Stewards.
In addition, the following Missions and Ministries of the church have their own teams and team leaders.
Clothes Closet Team | Oversees the operation of the Clothes Closet Ministry including volunteers, organization, and open days.
Ladle of Love Team | Oversees the operation of the church’s soup kitchen including managing supplies and organizing teams to prepare meals.
Bereavement Team | Provides a meal for a family in crisis due death of a family member.
Caring Angels Team | Provides care packages and communications for members at home.
Each of the Team Leaders also attend the Board of Stewards.
United Methodist Women | The UMW provides opportunities and resources for women to grow spiritually, become more deeply rooted in Christ and put faith into action. UMW supports missions and ministries at Gadsden First UMC and around the world.
The president or a representative of the UMW serves on the Board of Stewards.